Push notifications and Android N support in the current PowerApps release

In the latest release (2.0.490), PowerApps has added features for Android including supporting the latest Android N platform and enabling push notifications. Sample apps have been moved to a separate category different from apps in your organization for all mobile clients.

Using PowerApps on Android N

Users can run PowerApps on the latest Android N platform on their devices. Apps will launch and run in the same way as other Android and iOS clients. Here is a quick snapshot from Nexus 6P running Android N:

1. View Android version

2. Install PowerApps

3. App list – Samples

4. Launch a sample

Push notifications on Android

Push notifications are already available for Windows and iOS devices. Now, you can be notified of apps shared and updated on PowerApps Android too! You need to make sure notifications are enabled on Android (default configuration on the device).

We will showcase two scenarios – app notifications from sharing a new app and app notifications from updating an existing app. In the example below, Perry creates an app on Windows and shares it with Linda, who is using PowerApps on Android Nexus 7.

Create an app

Using app from data in PowerApps Studio, our logged in user Perry creates an app using the Common Data Model. Perry uses the Company entity to create the app and map the controls to the relevant fields of the entity, as necessary.

1. Use app from data with the Common Data Model

2. Select the Company entity and click Connect

3. Once the app is created, modify the layout and add the right fields to the screen

Save and Share

Perry saves the app and shares it with his colleague Linda.

1. From the File menu select Save. Give a unique name and click Save

2. Find the app in the Open app listing. Click Share icon. In the share panel add user’s (Linda) email address. Now click the share button

New app push notification

Linda is using PowerApps on Android. She receives the new app push notification. Tapping the notification twice launches the shared app.

Linda has installed PowerApps on her Nexus 7 tablet. The device receives a new app push notification

Double tap the notification to launch the app. Allow the connection to the Common Data Model

App splash screen

App running on Android

Update app

Perry decides to update the app, say changing the theme. Perry saves his update and Linda gets notified of the update.

Feedback

Are there device capabilities that would like to use with PowerApps? What categories would you like to see besides Samples? We are continuously adding new features and functionality and your feedback will help us prioritize our work!

As always, we would love to hear your feedback on features or missing functionality that should be addressed in the platform. Send your feedback and suggestions on the community page or by contacting support.